Her mother put back her head and laughed heartily. "No one but your fanciful self would get hold of such a notion. If you think there is danger of your becoming unhappy over such a situation I would advise you to avoid it by telling him that you are both Anita and Nancy."
"I think I shall, but not till he returns from London. He will meet me but once in the meantime. Mother, dear, there is one thing I do wish you would ask Mr. Kirkby to promise you."
"And what is that?"
"I want you to make him promise to let you know every day how Mr. Wirt—I'd better call him that—how Mr. Wirt is getting on. You can do it with perfect reason as he has been here under your charge for so long. Will you?"
"I think I can promise to ask him, but I cannot promise that he will perform."
"I shall be satisfied with your part of the promise. Mother, I wish you could have seen how startled he, Terrence, Mr. Wirt, I should say, how startled he looked when Aunt Manning called me Nancy. She was dear. She wanted to meet him and she asked him to come to see us here at Primrose Cottage. Oh, mother, if he were to be well enough to come to us for Christmas."
"Did she ask him?"
"Not for Christmas, but I believe she would if I wanted her to. Wouldn't it be glorious if he and Pepé should both be here. Even this dreadful war wouldn't prevent our being happy then. Dear me, it is dinner time and I am not dressed. Don't hint at anything I have told you. I had to tell my own darling mother. Do you care, madre, that I can't help thinking of mamma in this? She would be so glad."
"My dear, of course not. My feeling for her is one of deep gratitude and reverence. Even if you loved her best I should think it only right."
"I love her very dearly, but somehow when you know that your very, very own mother has come into your life, and that she is such a mother as you are, you cannot help giving her the best love." She stopped long enough to give one kiss and then flew off to change her dress.